The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-08-10
A White House Romance.

A White House Romance
The announcement of the engagement
Of Miss Mollie Garfield to j. stanley
Brown makes public romance which
has for some time been known or sus-
pected BY friends Of both. Il the sharp
eyes of waschfal women are Trustworthy
it is the elimination Of a Iongaftachment
on the part Of Mr. Brown.
When stanley Brown and Gen. Garfield
were frst brought together Brown was
young stenogrlpher with whose expert
ness Garfield was delighted. He was a
very quiet, rather too plodest young man
Of -. Gen. Garfield thought he had
found treasure in the young man, for
his experience with some committee
clerks was somewhat unpleasant. He
found Brown punetual, quick, quiet
steady, and possessed of one qualification
that especially pleased Garfield. He
minded his own busiress. Garfield APP
pointed him clerk Of his committee, and
in that capacity Brown was thrown very
much With the Garfield family They
were then living in tiartields much mort
gagged house, wbere Garfield did a great
Heal Of work
Afier his election . the Presidency
Garfield wsls urged to appoint one Of sev-
eral young men as his private secretary.
He said he had already selected his con
iidential assistant. however, and there
was much speculation as 10 whom il
might be. When Stanley was installed
there was great surprise. lie w.as then
only u years Of age. and Moliie wsss IA.
She was a charming mss Then. she gave
promise, not Of great beauty, but Of ut
most attrlcfiveness Of face and iorrn, and
in disposition was c.lllel ly ali Of her a.
sociates one Of the sweetest Of girls. Her
fathers place as President never affected
her simplicity Of manner, or her coriiali-
ty with the humbiest Of her mates. She
used 70 20 tripping up fifteenth street 70
school with a lot of schOolmates, dressed
more plainly than almost any one Of
them She was merry girl. possessed
Of some Of her fathers playfulness and
love Of fun, and even at that time thought
Stanley Brown the most manly Young
fellow whom She knew At least, 50 she
told her mates. It was simply the admi-
ration and liking ef a school girl, too
young to ever have Thought Of serious
affection for any one beyond the family
circle.
Even at that Schoolgirl period Brown
found great pleasure in Miss Mollie's
company. and though he was usually the
most diiiident Of men II women's society
he was wholly at ease with Mise Mollie
He was fond Of her, aad the wise matrons
in Washington, who see everything with
a womanly match-Inakers eye, whisper
ed among themselves that before Garfield
left the White House there would be a
match made between his daughter and
his secretary.
There was a good deal Of love making
reported as going on in the White House
at the time. Cen Garfeld's eldest son
WAS quite attentive to his cousin, Miss
Rockwell, the daughter Of Col Rockwell,
and the society papers announced their
engagement, though II was reported after
ward that this announcement vas pre-
mature Mr. Brown took part in the
social pleasures Of the young people
when he had the opportunity. and if
there were partners for games or walks.
he was pretty apt to be found with Miss
Mollie.
By Gen Garfeld's family Brown was
regarded almost as one Of them. Mrs.
Garfield was especially fond Of him. She
thought him most exemplary Young
man, and often said that bis influence
was always for good After Gien- Garfield
WIS shot Browns relations with the fam
iiy became very intimate. and by his most /
assiduous devotion 70 Garfield, which
caused him many sIeepIess nights ard
great labor. besides carrying much Of the
burden Of the executive office, he gained
the esteem of Mrs. Garfield - greatly
that she said after Garfelis death that
the young man had come to seem to her /
almost Ikea -on. He practically became
one Of the family at that time and dur
ing all Of Garfeld's siesness and after
ward at the funeral, his tenderness and !
care for Miss Mollie was delicate and I.
constant
There was 4 brief separation after the /
family had settled in Cleveland. Brown
had been entrusted by Mrs. Garfield with
much Of the business If settling the es-
t.rte, and while that was being done he
WAS a member Of her family. Miss Mol !
lie returned to her school books and
Brown went % Washington, where he
became a banker Hedid not remain in (
that business long. He sold cut his IN
terest and returned To Mrs. Garfield's !
family, becoming, II Is said. her contiden- /
tiaI agent and assistant IN the manage I
ment Of her fortune. which was more
than half million dollars.
Since then he has been with the Car
fields much Of the time, but not until I
Mis- Mollie iinisheI her school did he
permit affection 70 SLOW itself Mr.. Car
field unquestienably knew long ago of
his love for her daughter and it Is Ger
tain that no engagement would have
been permitted which had n0t only her
consent, but her approval
Brown IS now y and Miss Mollie il y /
and when they are married there viii be
completed one of the most charming OF
romances. They VIII probably live in .
Cleveland, where Mr. Brown. it IS under
stood. has business interests
Why Americans Grow Bald.
People become bald from washing
the head said an English barber The .
use Of water on the scalp may make a
man feel buoyant for u time, but you
IL Il. l. J.